Written By: Sophia Shen

As the school year gets underway, be sure to keep an eye out for the Rye Country Day Field Hockey team. Varsity field hockey is off to an incredible and promising start, opening the season with wins against Greenwich Country Day School (3-0), Riverdale Country School (6-0), and Hopkins School (7-0).

Led by captains Clare Keating ‘26 and Dylan Fenyes ‘26, this year’s field hockey team is focused and full of energy. Following several weeks of intense conditioning, skills training, and team bonding during preseason, the team’s hard work quickly paid off in their first three matches. With a versatile and hard-working group of athletes, the captains are eager to watch the team not only develop their individual skills, but also grow and improve as a unit.

As the season continues, Head Coach Summers has high hopes for what this team can achieve. “My goal is for them to develop as one team, play as one team, and have the most successful team together.” With six strong seniors providing experience and leadership and six talented and high-spirited newcomers, the team’s strengths lie in their ability to work together. After just a few weeks of practices, Keating already sees high potential for the team, noting that the  players always “support each other and the team chemistry is already there.”

After losing by a narrow margin in triple overtime during last year’s NYSAIS finals, the team is determined to get back to the finals and win the championship, marking what would be the fifteenth NYSAIS championship win for RCDS Field Hockey. Keating is looking forward to the NYSAIS championship with excitement, adding, “I want to win and I think it is a real possibility with this group of athletes!” Coach Summers agrees, noting that last year’s team laid the groundwork for this year’s, helping them to “start the season beyond where they left off.”The Wildcats are determined and focused to have a strong season and return to the finals.

RCDS Field Hockey is incredibly motivated and ready for a powerful season with  both new and experienced talent. With the support of RCDS students, faculty, and families, the Wildcats are excited to continue their 2025 season.